The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has brushed aside comments by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who claimed that a joint presidential ticket between Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) would pose the strongest challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Lawal, speaking during an interview with Symfoni TV over the weekend, argued that Obi and Kwankwaso would struggle if they contested separately but could command a formidable electoral force if they ran together. He rated the proposed alliance at “about 70 per cent” on his political scale, while assigning President Tinubu 50 per cent and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar zero.
APC: Lawal’s Comments Not Worth Responding To
Reacting to the remarks, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka dismissed the former SGF’s assessment, saying it did not deserve a response.
“He said nothing that’s worth responding to,” Morka told Vanguard.
Lawal Predicts Atiku’s Defeat
Lawal also predicted that Atiku Abubakar would lose if he contested the presidency again in 2027.
“Atiku will lose. He will, and I pray he loses. I’m not the only one, and he will lose,” he said.
Tinubu Sacrificed Presidential Ambition for APC Merger — Lawal
The former SGF praised Tinubu’s role in the formation of the APC, claiming the president made significant personal sacrifices to ensure the opposition defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
According to Lawal, Tinubu agreed to suspend his own presidential ambition in the interest of building a united opposition.
He recalled Buhari asking him to facilitate merger discussions with Tinubu because of their close relationship.
“I was in Dubai when Buhari called and asked me to help with the merger because Bola was my friend,” Lawal recounted.
He claimed Tinubu told him that removing the PDP from power was more important than pursuing his personal ambition.
Tinubu Personally Funded Buhari’s 2015 Campaign
Lawal further alleged that Tinubu financed key aspects of Muhammadu Buhari’s successful 2015 presidential campaign from his personal resources.
According to him, Tinubu:
- Funded campaign operations for then vice-presidential candidate Yemi Osinbajo.
- Chartered aircraft for campaign activities.
- Raised substantial campaign funds.
- Paid more than ₦2 billion for American political consultants reportedly linked to former U.S. President Barack Obama.
- Frequently covered major campaign expenses without relying on the official campaign purse.
“He never came to the campaign purse for major expenditures. He paid from his own pocket,” Lawal claimed.
Lawal Says Tinubu Government Has Failed Nigerians
Despite commending Tinubu’s contributions before becoming president, Lawal sharply criticized his administration, describing it as a disappointment.
He accused government officials of prioritizing personal interests above national development.
“The people running the government don’t seem to love the country; they love themselves,” he said.
Lawal added that President Tinubu had “lost his soul” since assuming office and argued that many Nigerians were struggling under worsening economic conditions.
Kwankwasiyya Movement Defends Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance
The Kwankwasiyya Movement also weighed in, describing the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as the APC’s greatest political concern ahead of 2027.
Its spokesman, Habeeb Saleh, rejected remarks by former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who had dismissed the alliance as “dead on arrival.”
“The Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is the APC’s greatest nightmare. The more they attack it, the more they remind Nigerians that it is the alliance they fear most,” Saleh said.
He argued that Kwankwaso’s political influence remained significant, pointing to the more than one million votes he secured during the 2023 presidential election despite contesting on a relatively smaller platform.
Saleh also accused the APC of focusing on attacking opposition figures instead of defending the Tinubu administration’s record.
Obasanjo Backing Obi-Kwankwaso Ticket — Osuntokun
Former presidential adviser Akin Osuntokun also threw his weight behind the proposed alliance, describing it as stronger than the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential ticket.
Speaking on Arise News, Osuntokun claimed former President Olusegun Obasanjo personally encouraged the partnership between Obi and Kwankwaso.
“Obi and Kwankwaso is a much more realistic and compelling ticket than the 2023 one,” he said.
He dismissed suggestions that Obasanjo was working for President Tinubu, insisting the former president remained one of the strongest advocates of the proposed opposition alliance.
Peter Obi Vows to Serve Only One Term
Meanwhile, Peter Obi reaffirmed that he would serve only a single four-year term if elected president in 2027.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Obi said he had an unwritten agreement with his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to respect the one-term arrangement.
“I have said this several times. I will serve only four years. We are gentlemen, and we must respect our agreement,” Obi said.
He added that he was willing to formally sign such a commitment if necessary.
“A day more than four years in office—it is not Peter Obi,” he stated.
Obi: Tinubu Should Step Aside
Obi also launched a fresh attack on President Tinubu, arguing that the president no longer had the capacity to lead Nigeria effectively.
“He should step aside because he lacks the capacity to do the job. The Bola Tinubu that was governor is not the president we have today. He is tired and should retire in peace,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor pledged to prioritize national security, poverty reduction, and education if elected.
He argued that widespread poverty remained the country’s biggest security threat, insisting that tackling unemployment and investing in education would significantly reduce insecurity.
Political Realignments Intensify Ahead of 2027
The exchange of claims and counterclaims highlights the growing political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
While the APC has dismissed suggestions that an Obi-Kwankwaso alliance poses a serious threat, supporters of the proposed coalition insist it represents the strongest opposition platform against the ruling party.
With key political figures openly discussing alliances, succession plans, and campaign strategies, the race for 2027 is already beginning to take shape, even as formal party nominations remain years away.
